OAKLAND, Calif., April 23 (UPI) -- Craig Monroe homered and drove in three runs Tuesday, boosting Minnesota to a 5-4 win over Oakland.
Monroe also scored twice while going 3-for-4. Jason Kubel hit a two-out single in the eighth to help the Twins to their third straight win. Mike Lamb also went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Twins starter Livan Hernandez went six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. The win went to Juan Rincon (2-0), who threw a scoreless seventh. Pat Neshek kept Oakland at bay in the eighth and Joe Nathan earned his seventh save by striking out the side in the ninth.
Joe Blanton (1-4) gave up five runs -- four earned -- over 7 2/3 innings. He struck out seven. Kurt Suzuki had two RBI and Emil Brown homered for the Athletics, who had a three-game win streak halted.
